Mariners Add Infield Depth With Trade For Andino

The Orioles traded veteran second baseman Robert Andino to the Mariners for 25-year-old center fielder Trayvon Robinson. Both players are on 40-man rosters, and neither has minor league options remaining.

Andino earned starts during the 2012 American League Division Series when the Orioles faced Yankees lefthanders, but that had more to do with rookie Ryan Flaherty’s platoon disadvantage. Andino has hit .253/.310/.339 in 431 plate appearances versus big league lefties, but he plays strong defense at second base and can capably handle third base and shortstop, too. With lefty hitters known more for their offense than defense at second (Dustin Ackley) and third base (Kyle Seager), the Mariners would seem to be just about the perfect team to make use of Andino’s particular skills. He’s arbitration eligible for the second time this offseason.

Orioles Acquire

Trayvon Robinson, of

Age: 24. Born: Sep 1, 1987 in Los Angeles.

Ht.: 5-10. Wt.: 200.

Bats: B. Throws: R.

School: Crenshaw HS, Los Angeles.

Career Transactions: Selected by Dodgers in 10th round of 2005 draft; signed June 13, 2005 … Traded by Dodgers to Mariners as part of three-team deal in which Mariners traded LHP Erik Bedard and RHP Josh Fields to Red Sox; and Red Sox traded OF Chih-Hsien Chiang to Mariners and C Tim Federowicz and RHPs Stephen Fife and Juan Rodriguez to Dodgers, July 31, 2011.

Club (League)

Class

AVG

G

AB

R

H

2B

3B

HR

RBI

BB

SO

SB

OBP

SLG

Tacoma (PCL)

AAA

.265

83

340

50

90

18

2

9

41

34

85

19

.331

.409

Seattle (AL)

MLB

.221

46

145

16

32

4

1

3

12

14

43

6

.294

.324

Robinson’s strongest tool continues to be his speed on the bases, though he can handle center field and has shown feel for hitting when given a chance to play every day in the minors. After selling out for power with Triple-A Albuquerque in 2011—a career-high 26 homers mitigated by strikeouts in 29 percent of PAs—Robinson played to his strengths this season, cutting down his swing, driving the ball into the gaps and relying on his legs to gain extra bases. During his time at the Triple-A level, the switch-hitter has shown more power (.211 isolated slugging) and patience (11 percent walk rate) as a lefty batter but more contact ability from the right side (18 percent strikeout rate). He could be an attractive part-time outfielder for Baltimore in 2013.

Mariners Acquire

Robert Andino, 2b

Age: 28. Bats: R. Remaining Commitment: Under club control for two seasons, 2013-14 ($1.3 million salary in 2012).